Bad News Ain’t So Bad

There’s a movement going on, and we only want the good news in Bad News.

Yes, we call our beloved city “Bad News” or even “Newport Blues,” and it’s not an accurate depiction of the dedicated, vibrant, philanthropic community we’ve dug our heels into. We’ve just always called it that. It’s like the kid in class you have a crush on and really just want to hang out with all day so you give them a negative, but endearing, nickname. In fact, there’s so much good in this city that we’ve decided to create a site to bring attention only to the positive people, organizations and actions going on from uptown to downtown and in-between.

Selene statue in Kettle Pond (photo cred Amy Payne)

We’re not trying to turn a blind eye to the crime that currently floods the front pages, Twitter feeds and water cooler small talk; we just don’t want to see all the good get lost in the process. I started the Facebook page, “Bad News Ain’t So Bad,” along with Meagan Adams, because it’s obvious that Newport News is misunderstood. Sure, bad things happen, like any other city, and the fix is much more complicated than a social media page… but we need this. Some days are harder than others to sift through and unearth the “good” news, but this city is bursting with fighters. They are the “doers” who don’t just sit back and wait for change to happen. They feed the homeless, tutor at-risk youth, support small business, and work to preserve green space. They deserve to be acknowledged and also see other people around them who are working for change.

Ruth Deibler, Newport News resident and site contributor, started the hashtag #badnewsaintsobad in May of 2014 and we noticed it catch on. Whether it was the sunset on the James River, a show at The Ferguson Center or a picture of a child’s teacher who was really making a difference, people wanted to spread the word.

“The hashtag craze was new to me when I thought of it,” Ruth said. “I grew up here as a military brat and never thought I’d return. I quickly realized the life I had started building for my family here was the best I’ve ever had! And I hate that people’s perceptions of this city are what they see on WAVY. I guess it was a little bit of passive aggressiveness at its best. Life is what you make it, and although Newport News may not be overtly amazing, it’s not that bad at all…”

Marcia Price, Delegate for the 95th district, added: “It is so important that we celebrate what is going well in our city. I love what the ‘Bad News Ain’t So Bad’ Facebook page is about…bringing to light the true character and heart of Newport News.”

If you love Newport News as much as we do, or simply just enjoy rooting for the underdog, follow our page and become part of the community letting the good in, one post at a time.